Rap career:
Mos Def began his performing career on the television show The Cosby Mysteries in 1994. In 1994, Mos also began his music career, forming the short-lived group Urban Thermo Dynamics (UTD) with his younger brother DCQ and his younger sister Ces. Despite being signed to Payday Records, the group only released two singles and the group's debut album, Manifest Destiny, did not see the light of day until 2004 when released through Illson Media. In 1996 he emerged as a solo artist, working with De La Soul and Da Bush Babees before releasing his own first single, "Universal Magnetic" which was a huge underground hit. After signing with Rawkus Records, he and Talib Kweli released a full length album under the band name Black Star, entitled Black Star. It was released in 1998, with Hi-Tek producing most of the tracks. Mos Def released his solo debut, Black on Both Sides, in 1999. Filled with tracks raving about his hometown, Brooklyn and his love for Hip-Hop, Black on Both Sides also deals with racial profiling of Black men in America, with the track Mr Nigga. Mos Def was also featured on Rawkus' influential The Lyricist Lounge and Soundbombing series compilations. After the collapse of Rawkus, Def along with Kweli signed on to Interscope/Geffen Records, who released his second album The New Danger in 2004. In early 2005 Mos Def was rumored to join Jay-Z's Roc-A-Fella record label, but this was later denied by the artist himself claiming "Jay-Z and Roc-A-Fella would never allow me to release songs I plan on putting out there. I ain't down with that commercial non-sense. I'm about to deal with the fake with my next album, from George Bush to 50 Cent." But, after making that comment, Mos Def was featured rapping on a SUV commercial, endorsing the GMC Denali. Mos Def is projected to release his last solo album on Geffen Records, The Undeniable Free Flaco in early 2006. His 4th studio album The Ecstatic was released June 9, 2009 on Downtown Records. It serves as Mos Def's second highest charting album to date. Upon its release, The Ecstatic received general acclaim from most music critics, and it earned Mos Def a Grammy Award nomination for Best Rap Album. Rolling Stone magazine named it the seventeenth best album of 2009.
Impact on hip-hop
The artistic boundaries of hip-hop and rap music had been redefined by artists such as Brand Nubian, De La Soul, and Public Enemy, whose music was more thematically sophisticated and socially conscious than that of their predecessors. By the early 1990s however, this brand of rap had been eclipsed in popularity by gangsta rap. Socially aware rap music (alternative hip hop) has experienced something of a renaissance in the late 1990s and now the 2000s, in part due to artists such as Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Common, The Roots and others. "Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are … Blackstar" Mos Def's collaboration with Talib Kweli was released during the aftermath of the deaths of 2pac and The Notorious B.I.G. sparking a rebirth of "aware" and "intelligent" hip-hop. Def's music often references his Islamic faith and his contention that black artists receive little credit for their role in the birth of rock and roll music.
On Mos Def's 2004 album The New Danger, the rapper took his penchant for experimentation to a new level. Most of the songs were more hip-hop flavored stylings of Blues and Rock, with few actual raps thrown in. This threw off fans who were expecting another full-blown rap album. The New Danger also featured the controversial song "The Rape Over", a parody of Jay-Z's The Blueprint hit "The Takeover":
old white men is runnin this rap shit
corporate forces runnin this rap shit
some tall israeli is runnin this rap shit
we poke out our asses for a chance to cash in
cocaine, is runnin this rap shit
'dro, 'yac and e-pills is runnin this rap shit...
mtv is runnin this rap shit
viacom is runnin this rap shit
aol and time warner runnin this rap shit...
quasi-homosexuals is runnin this rap shit
The lyrics would seem to have chafed with higher-placed executives, who made Mos take the song off of later releases of the album, supposedly for "sample clearance issues".
In September 2005, Mos Def released the single "Katrina Clap" (utilizing the instrumental for Juvenile's "Nolia Clap"), a critical reaction to the lack of response by the Bush administration to the Hurricane Katrina disaster. He probably chose the "Nolia Clap" instrumental because the rapper Juvenile hails from New Orleans, and the song was a hit in the New Orleans area before the hurricane.
Mos Def also collaborated with Kanye West on West's track named "two words" and appeared in the music video.
Acting career
The first years of the 2000s have established Mos Def as a notable actor. His performances in Brown Sugar, Monster's Ball, and the HBO made-for-TV film Something The Lord Made have been particularly acclaimed by critics. Having been nominated for several awards, Mos finally broke through, winning Best Actor, Independent Movie at the 2005 Black Reel Awards for his portrayal of Sgt. Lucas in The Woodsman. He also landed the role of Ford Prefect in the long-awaited 2005 movie adaption of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Notably, in 2002 he played the role of Booth in Suzan-Lori Parks' Topdog/Underdog, a Tony-nominated and Pulitzer-winning Broadway play. He has also been a musical guest and participated in many skits on Comedy Central's Chappelle's Show.
In 2004, he hosted the MOBO awards in London, after the original presenter, Pharrell Williams pulled out at the last minute.
He has been the host of the award-winning spoken word show Def Poetry Jam since its inception. The show's sixth season aired in February 2007.
Discography
* 1998 Black Star (released with Talib Kweli under the name Black Star) Priority Records
* 1999 Black on Both Sides Rawkus Records
* 2004 The New Danger Geffen
o nominated for Best Urban/Alternative
Performance, 47th Annual Grammy Awards
* 2006 True Magic
* 2009 THE Ecstatic Downtown Records
* 2010 Mos Dub
Selected Filmography
* Cadillac Records (2009)
* Be Kind Rewind (2008)
* Talladega Nights (2006) (a quick cameo)
* Dreamgirls (2006)
* Bobby (2006)
* The Brazilian Job (2006) (pre-production)
* 16 Blocks (2006)
* The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (2005).
* Lackawanna Blues (2005)
* Something the Lord Made (2004)
o nominated for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie, 56th Annual Emmy Awards
o nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Mini-Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television, 62nd Annual Golden Globe Awards
* Chapelle Show (? year) - Black Delegation Rep for Racial Draft
* The Woodsman (2004)
* The Italian Job (2003)
* Brown Sugar (2002)
* Civil Brand (2002)
* Showtime (2002)
* Monster's Ball (2001)
* Carmen: A Hip Hopera (2001)
* Bamboozled (2000)
* Where's Marlowe? (1998)
In September 2011, Mos Def announced that he planned to use the name Yasiin Bey instead of Mos Def beginning in 2012.
http://www.myspace.com/mosdef
Pretty Dancer
Mos Def Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Fresh and I'm fresh and my fresh just get fresher
Diamonds in production glow greater than the pressure
The none turn to some and the some turn to moire
The more turn to many and the many turn to all
Shoutin' on my nothing like it's nothing at all
To not knowin' what ya got 'til it got gone
New brand hustle with the long time arithmetic
Bey, from the preacher man, number man, understand
Curves and sliders, overs and under-hands
Black Batman, knock 'em out the park
Pitch, quiet fire sniper not the one you tryna box with
Block work when the block turn jobless
And triple beams ain't the best means to weigh your options
Smarts! Get smart with your smartness
Too busy surviving to argue 'bout Darwin, Darling!
See me, huh, a pretty dancer
Need sugar, win Ali? pretty dance
See me do it
Ready, steady, step it out
Big swing swing with bangers and thing thingers
Soul glow zinging all over the ring finger
Yo yo! Don't play me so close
Make me tell you something that you ain't really ready to know
Fight camp you was in top form
Fight night, damn you ain't breakin' popcorn
Aw man word bond?
Word is bond! Ultimatum
Lights off, smelling salts, resuscitate 'em
I don't underrate 'em son, I don't nothing-reate 'em
All I do is pop pop, frustrate 'em
Exacerbate 'em, sharp shoot, lacerate 'em
Steady hustle, shuffle shuffle, fascinate 'em
Ecstatic nature black imagination activated
True and living elevated, you are rockin' with the greatest
Ecstatic nature black imagination activated
True and living elevated, you are rockin' with the greatest
It's like a dove from up above
See me, huh, a pretty dancer
Need sugar, win Ali? Pretty dancer
See me do it
Ready, steady, step it out
(Fly like a dove from up above)
See me, huh, a pretty dancer
Need sugar, win Ali? Pretty dancer
See me do it
Ready, steady, step it out
Fly like a dove from up above
Move (Fly like a dove from up above
Fly like a dove from up above)
Fly like a dove from up above (the greatest)
Fly like a dove from up above
Fly like a dove from up above
Ecstatic nature black imagination activated
True and living elevated, you are rockin' with the greatest
Ecstatic nature black imagination activated
True and living elevated, you are rockin' with the greatest
Ecstatic nature black imagination activated
True and living elevated, you are rockin' with the greatest
Ecstatic nature black imagination activated
True and living elevated, you are rockin' with the greatest
Ecstatic nature black imagination activated
True and living elevated, rockin' with the greatest
Ecstatic nature black imagination activated
True and living elevated, you are rockin' with the greatest
Ecstatic nature black imagination activated
True and living elevated, rockin' with the greatest
Ecstatic nature black imagination activated
True and living elevated, you are rockin' with the greatest
The song ‘Pretty Dancer’ by Mos Def is a rap song with a catchy rhythm that revolves around a few themes relating to the artist’s personal journey, such as perseverance, hardship, and success. Mos Def starts the song with a boastful tone, stating his fresh style has become fresher than ever, and his diamonds are shining brighter than the pressure that produced them. He then describes how he turned nothing into something and how he has hustled for a long time while constantly improving his craft.
The chorus of the song is a call to action to step out and dance, and the verses that follow continue with Mos Def’s signature braggadocio style, listing his accomplishments and praising his skill as a boxer. He criticizes those who underestimate him and expresses his confidence in his own abilities. Towards the end of the song, he emphasizes his black identity and his elevated position as an artist who has transcended the struggles of his past, concluding with the repetition of the phrase “ecstatic nature black imagination activated.”
The lyrics of the song ‘Pretty Dancer’ may seem superficial and egotistical on the surface, but they are layered with personal experiences and universal themes of determination and progress. Mos Def uses the song as an outlet to express and celebrate his success, while also speaking to his audience on a deeper level about overcoming adversity and staying true to one’s identity.
Line by Line Meaning
Fresh and I'm fresh and my fresh just get fresher,
I am always fresh and I keep getting fresher.
Diamonds in production glow greater than the pressure,
My diamonds shine brighter than the pressure to create them.
The none turn to some and the some turn to moire,
Those who have nothing can become someone and those who are someone can become even more.
The more turn to many and the many turn to all,
As the group grows bigger, it becomes more inclusive.
Shoutin' on my nothing like it's nothing at all,
I am confident and unashamed of my humble beginnings.
To not knowin' what ya got til it got gone
We often don't appreciate what we have until we lose it.
Same song, new time signature,
Things may look the same but there are always subtle differences.
New brand hustle with the long time arithmetic,
I have come up with a new method for succeeding in business, one that has been perfected over a long period of time.
Bey, from the preacher man, number man, understand
I have learned from both spiritual and practical sources.
Curves and sliders, overs and under-hands,
I am adept at using different tools and techniques to achieve my goals.
Black Batman, knock 'em out the park,
I am like the superhero Batman, swinging for the fences and always succeeding.
Pitch, quiet fire sniper not the one you tryna bow with,
I have a calm and precise approach to everything I do, and my skills cannot be matched.
Block work when the block turn jobless,
I know how to make money even when times are tough.
And triple beams ain't the best means to weigh your potions
There are better ways of measuring your success than just by how much money you make.
Smarts! Get smart with your smartness,
Use your intelligence to make wise choices and further your success.
Too busy surviving to argue 'bout Darwin, Darling!
I don't have time to debate the finer points of scientific theory, I am too busy trying to survive and thrive.
[Chorus]
The overall message of the song.
Big swing swing with bangers and thing thingers
I achieve great things with confidence and style.
Soul glow zinging all over the ring finger
I exude confidence and success in everything I do.
Yo yo! Don't play me so close
Don't underestimate my abilities or try to get too close to me.
Make me tell you something that you ain't really ready to know
I know things that others are not ready or able to handle.
Fight camp you was in top form,
You were in great shape while training for a fight.
Fight night, damn you ain't breakin' popcorn
You did not perform as well as expected during the actual fight.
Aw man word bond?
Are you serious right now?
Word is bond! Ultimatum
I am sticking to my word and there will be consequences if you don't listen.
Lights off, smelling salts, resuscitate 'em
You need to be brought back to reality and reminded of the truth.
I don't underrate 'em son, I don't nothing-reate 'em,
I take my opponents seriously and never underestimate them.
All I do is pop pop, frustrate 'em
I frustrate and defeat my opponents with ease.
Exacerbate 'em, sharp shoot, lacerate 'em
I make things harder for my opponents and strike with precision.
Steady hustle, shuffle shuffle, fascinate 'em
I work hard and consistently, always keeping my opponents guessing.
Ecstatic nature black imagination activated
I am extremely happy and creative.
True and living elevated, you are rockin' with the greatest
I am the greatest and anyone who associates with me is elevated.
It's like a dove from up above
Everything I do is beautiful and graceful.
[Chorus: x2]
The overall message of the song.
Skip, move
Keep moving forward!
(Fly like a dove from up above)
Stay graceful in everything you do.
The greatest
I am the best of the best.
See me do it!
Watch me succeed and thrive!
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, EMPIRE PUBLISHING
Written by: Otis Jackson, Dante Smith
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ajesam George
on Ms. Fat Booty
https://soundcloud.com/.../sudenly-by-da-george-prod-by...